BOC Report and accounts 2005 - Alle jaarverslagen

Group profile 21
Sales opportunities for much of BOC Edwards’ semiconductor equipment business are dependent upon capital
investment by the semiconductor industry. Management believes that semiconductor production remains on a
long-term growth trend but capital investment by semiconductor manufacturers has been subject to sharp
variations for a number of reasons, some of which arise from advances in technology.
The products of BOC Edwards Pharmaceutical Systems are tailored specifically to individual customer
requirements in the pharmaceutical industry and are used mainly for injectable products. Freeze-drying systems are
made in Tonawanda, New York, US. Filling, sterilising and packaging lines for the pharmaceutical industry are made at
Dongen in the Netherlands and Beijing in China.
Business developmentThroughout the period 2003 to 2005, new ranges of dry pumps for the semiconductor
industry were introduced as well as a comprehensive new range of exhaust management products.These new
products meet the needs of 300mm wafer and flat panel manufacturing facilities.
In 2004 a new range of high-speed iGX pumps were introduced, offering attractive features for
semiconductor applications such as small size, reduced power consumption and lower lifetime costs.
The range of exhaust management products was also expanded with new burners, wet scrubbers and an
advanced plasma-based system for the destruction of reaction products without the use of methane fuel.
Production of nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) gas for the semiconductor industry was started at a plant in South
Africa during 2000 and production capacity was further increased during 2003.This product is an important
etchant that is also used for in-position cleaning of semiconductor process equipment.
On-site fluorine generators were installed at a number of semiconductor and flat panel display manufacturing
facilities during 2004 and a fab-wide pilot programme at LG Philips in Korea was extended during 2005.
BOC Edwards’ range of electronic materials in Asia was expanded in October 2004 with the addition of
ultra-pure wet chemicals through a partnership with Asia Union Electronic Chemical Corporation (AUECC)
and through that company with Huayi, a chemical manufacturer in China.
Afrox hospitals
African Oxygen Limited (Afrox) sold its 69 per cent controlling interest in its hospitals business (Afrox Healthcare
Limited) to a consortium led by two major black economic empowerment investors in March 2005.Afrox has
retained a significant interest in the hospitals business through a 20 per cent holding in the new company.
In the period 2003 to 2004 and in 2005 prior to the disposal,Afrox Healthcare Limited owned 60 hospitals
and clinics and had a minority interest in a further seven hospitals managed by others. It also managed the Lifecare
group of chronic-care hospitals. In addition to hospitals and clinics, which were the core business,Afrox Healthcare
Limited also included Afrox Healthcare Services, which facilitated a direct medicines service for chronic medication,
and provided occupational health services, nursing training and laboratory services.
Gist
Gist is a provider of specialist supply chain solutions.The name Gist was adopted during 2001 to reflect both the
continuing focus on supply chain operations and an increased emphasis on supply chain consulting, end-to-end
supply chain solutions and logistics support to e-fulfilment opportunities.This realignment of the business followed a
planned withdrawal from most non-Marks & Spencer primary temperature controlled operations in the period
1999 to 2000.
High quality supply chain operations remain at the core of the business. Gist manages a range of supply chains
on behalf of retailers, mainly in the UK, as well as some overseas. For over 30 years Gist has been the largest supply
chain provider for Marks & Spencer. Gist currently handles all of its UK food distribution and the consolidation and
dispatch of all overseas shipments to subsidiaries and franchised operations.
During 2003, Gist ceased to operate general merchandise logistics and garment stockholding operations on
behalf of Marks & Spencer.
Gist has provided supply chain consultancy services to major supermarket and catalogue retailers in the UK
and demonstrated its capabilities in managing international supply chains. In addition an on-line wholesaling
operation has extended the range of Gist’s skills offered externally.
During September 2005, Gist expanded its primary business in continental Europe with the acquisition of
G Van Dongen Holding BV, a temperature-controlled transport operator based in the Netherlands and Spain.
This is to provide chilled and ambient transport to food manufacturers in the Netherlands, Spain, Germany,
Portugal and France, and adds to Gist’s existing operations in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.